Lying in a depth of 100 feet, roughly 25 miles East of the coast of St. Augustine's, lies a concrete structure artificial reef known as Capo Reef. TISIRI divers recently visited the reef to observe the current condition and collect imagery for Reefs Revealed. The reef appeared to be thriving with a great diversity and quantity of marine life. See pictures of the reef and some of its inhabitants below...
Read MoreDivers Discover Plane Wreck Offshore St Augustine
While offshore St. Augustine collecting reef site imagery for Reefs Revealed mapping efforts, TISIRI divers decided to investigate a random area of sea floor that appeared to be holding fish (according to the depth finder display). When divers hit the sea floor they were welcomed by sand and a school of bait fish but no structure. TISIRI investigators decided to swim an expanding circular pattern and when doing so a weed like structure was encountered. This "weed" turned out to be a piece of stainless steal and not far from it an aircraft engine block shown below was discovered.
Read MoreLee County Two Barges Reef Investigation
Shortly after the explosive sinking of the USS Mohawk TISIRI divers investigated an artificial reef a few miles south of the Mohawk's resting location. The reef site is composed of two large metal barges, one of which is upside down and propped up at a 45 degree angle. The upside down barge is actually resting on concrete pieces and this is the explanation for the angled orientation. The angled barge creates a relief of nearly 20 feet off the sea floor and make for unique reef structure. The concrete under the barge creates many voids where fish and animals can take refuge while the largely still intact barge has become surface area for a great diversity of encrusting growth. See Pictures captured at Lee County's two barge reef site below..
Read MoreInvestigating Hopper Car Reef, Lee County Florida
TISIRI divers entered the water around 9:30am not knowing what to expect when they reached the sea floor having never dove this reef area before. Water was very clear near the surface but degraded to about 15-20 feet of visibility at the ocean floor. The reef is described as being made from metal hopper cars and TISIRI divers encountered reef material very similar to some older metal barge reefs they have investigated in the past. The structure provided relief up to 20 feet in some areas and could best be described as mangled metal. Divers reported a great dive but warn other divers to be cautious while diving due to the projecting metal pieces throughout.
Read MoreReggie's Tug Reef Offshore St Augustine Florida
One of the reefs TISIRI divers investigated this past weekend offshore St. Augustine Florida is a sunken tugboat known as Reggie's Tug. The wreck lies in about 100 feet of water roughly 25 miles East of the St. Augustine inlet. Although the tug boat is of modest size, under a 100 feet in length, it is a largely productive reef. The vessel structure is completely encrusted with coral, sponge, algae, and much more.
Read MoreSt. Augustine's Little Barge Reef
Offshore St. Augustine, in about 75 feet of water, lies a relatively small barge reef known as the little barge reef. With dimensions of 20 feet by 60 feet it is also known as the 20 X 60 barge. Although a smaller site it is packed full of marine life. Below are pictures of the reef structure and some of the marine life encountered.
Read MoreInvestigating Taylor Reef Offshore St. Augustine Florida
TISIRI investigated Taylor Reef offshore St. Augustine Florida this past Saturday. Offshore conditions were great, with mild seas and about 30 feet of visibility at the reef site. Divers encountered a variety of Fish species including grouper, snapper, tomtates, and much more. Also encountered were sea turtles and nurse sharks. See the pictures below to get a better idea of the reef structures and the inhabiting marine life.
Read MoreTISIRI Investigates Lee County Florida Reefs
Today we visited a reef area of live bottom offshore the coast of Lee County Florida. We actually intended to visit a site called the Isabella, a sunken shrimp boat, but the coordinates we had for the Isabella did not appear accurate. The reef area we ended up investigating is roughly 15 miles east of Fort Myers Beach in 65 feet of water.
Read MoreNew Jacksonville Reef Marine Habitat Evolution
Today the TISIRI team visited the site to check in on the evolution of the reef. Even though the reef material was placed on the sea floor only months ago, TISIRI divers still encountered a wide diversity and quantity of marine life. See the pictures and video below that include encounters with grouper, flounder, and even a sea turtle.
Read MoreS.S. Gulf America Wreck, 70 years later
JRRT and TISIRI divers investigate the S.S. Gulf America wreck 70 years after her sinking. See pictures and video captured of the wreckage by TISIRI's Joe Kistel below.
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